Alberta Declares 2016-17 Alberta’s Year of the Ukrainian Canadian

August 8, 2016. EDMONTON. On Sunday, August 7, the Honourable Deron Bilous, Alberta’s Minister of Economic Development and Trade, declared “Alberta’s Year of the Ukrainian Canadian.”

Minister Bilous made the announcement speaking at the celebrations of the 125th anniversary of Ukrainian immigration to Canada during Ukrainian Day at the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village. Alberta’s Year of the Ukrainian Canadian will be brought forward for proclamation during the fall session of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta.

“Generations of Ukrainians overcame many challenges for a new start in Alberta. They helped build this incredible province and, as one of their many descendants, I take tremendous pride in honouring that contribution on behalf of the Government of Alberta,” stated Minister Bilous. “I therefore declare 2016-2017 as ‘Alberta’s Year of the Ukrainian-Canadian.’ “

Minister Bilous presents Ukrainian Canadian Congress Alberta Provincial Council President

Olesia Luciw-Andryjowycz, with a copy of the Declaration of Alberta’s Year of the Ukrainian Canadian. August 7, 2016, Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village. (PHOTO – Marco Levytsky, Ukrainian News)

“On behalf of the Ukrainian Canadian community of Alberta, I thank the Government of Alberta for this important declaration. As we celebrate the 125th anniversary of Ukrainian immigration to Canada, we honour the immense contribution that our community has made, and continues to make to our great province,” stated Olesia Luciw-Andryjowycz, President of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Alberta Provincial Council. “From the first pioneers who came from Ukraine to Canada 125 years ago, Ukrainian Canadians have been an integral part of the social fabric of Alberta.”